Aqueous acetylenic glycol compositions



United States Patent 2,997,447 Patented Aug. 22, 1961 ice AQUEOUS ACETYLENIC GLYCOL COMPOSITIONS James P. Russell, North Bergen, and Morton W. Leeds,

Union, N.J., assignors to Air Reduction Company, 5

Inctirporated, New York, N.Y., a corporation of New or No Drawing. Filed Aug. 1, 1955, Ser. No. 525,806 12 Claims. (Cl. 252-351) This invention relates to compositions which are usefu-l as non-ionic non-foaming surface active agents. This application is a continuation-in-part of our copending application Serial No. 409,002, filed February 8, 1954, now abandoned.

The best known non-ionic surface active agents are 15 essentially condensation products of polyethylene oxide in which the polyethylene oxide chain acts as the hydrophilic group and the hydrophobic group is derived from such materials as fatty alcohols, substituted phenols, fatty acids, fatty acyl amides, fatty alcohol glucosides and disulfimides. All of these non-ionic surface active agents have a relatively high molecular weight and produce a substantial amount of foam when introduced into aqueous systems. In many industrial applications it is highly desirable to employ a non-ionic Wetting agent which produces a very little foam. For example, low foaming properties are desirable Where the wetting agent is employed in detergent compositions for Washing machines, and where a wetting agent is used in the textile field and it is desirable that the processor be capable of observing the material being treated.

In accordance with the present invention it has been found that the symmetrical tertiary acetylenic glycols possess remarkable wetting and surface tension lowering properties and, at the same time, have unexpectedly low foaming properties. It has been further found that the longer the main chain and the heavier the glycol mole cule, the greater the wetting action. However, the solubility of the wetting agent in aqueous systems decreases with increase in molecular size. Consequently, it has been found that the symmetrical tertiary acetylenic glycols which correspond to the structural formula o5 JR ()H H where R is an alkyl group, either branched or straight chain, containing 1 through 4 carbon atoms, e.g. methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, nbutyl, or, isobutyl; and where R is a radical selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, cyclopropyl and phenyl, are most suitable as non-ionic non-foaming Wetting agents.

Representative compounds of this new class of nonionic non-foaming wetting agents are:

2,4,7,9-tetramethyl-5-decyne-4,7-dio1 4,7-dimethyl-5-decyne-4,7-diol 2,3,6,7-tetramethyl-4-octyne-3,6-diol 3,6-diethy1-4-octyne-3,6-dio1 2,5 -dicyclopropyl-3-hexyne-2,5-diol 3,6-dimethyl-4-octyne-3,6-diol 2,5 dipheny1-3-hexyne-2,5-diol 2,5-dimethyl-3 -hexyne-2,5-diol 5,8-dimethyl-6-dodecyne-5,8'diol The optimum agent, without regard to the cost of prep- 65 aration, is 5,8-dimethyl-6-dodecyne-5,S-diol. It has been found that, all things considered, 2,4,7,9-tetrameth- 2 yl-5-decyne-4,7-diol and 4,7-dimethyl-5-decyne-4,7-diol are the preferred wetting agents.

These symmetrical tertiary acetylenic glycols can be prepared in any of the known manners. For example, by reacting calcium carbide, an alkali metal hydroxide and the corresponding ketone to give the desired glycol in the fashion of Bruson et al. US. Patent No. 2,250,- 445; or by reacting ketones with an alkali-metal acetylide as shown by Kreimeier US. Patent No. 2,106,180; or by reacting acetylene with an excess of the ketone in the presence of solid caustic potash in a solvent medium, as is well known in the prior art.

Another advantageous characteristic of these symmetrical tertiary acetylenic glycols is their ability to withstand relatively strong alkali or strong acid mediums and still retain their wetting properties. The glycols remain useable for two hours in 5 percent NaOH at C., and for longer periods in Weaker solutions.

The acetylenic glycols of the present invention may be employed in any process, or incorporated in any composition, Where it is desired to take advantage of their power to impart to aqueous mediums their Wetting and impregnating properties. For example, these wetting agents can be elfectively used in the various wet processing textile operations where their extremely low foaming properties would be particularly advantageous. The tertiary acetylenic glycols may be incorporated in dentifrices, toilet soaps, shampoos, and various laundry detergents, where their marked ability to lower surface tension and at the same time produce substantially no foam would be highly desirable. The glycols, may also be used as a pigment dispersant or as a viscosity depressant for inks and paint compositions which without the addition of these wetting agents would possess very poor flow properties. As a pigment dispersant for water-based paints containing a film-forming ingredient, the acetylenic glycols not only improve the distribution of the pigment particles uniformly throughout the paint formulation, but also reduce the formation of foam during both the grinding of the pigment and the formulation and application of the point composition. For such use as a pigment dispersant, the acetylenic glycol may be added alone or in combination with other surface-active agents, either undiluted or in solution in such materials as Carbitol, Cellosolve, ethylene glycol, or alcohol to eliminate foaming and give maximum color development in paints.

Further, the acetylenic glycols have also been found useful in reducing the viscosity of a variety of compositions, including vinyl plastisols, aqueous starch mixtures, polyvinyl alcohol solutions, and fiexographic inks. The acetylenic glycols may also be used to inhibit gelation of such compositions as zein solutions, polyvinyl. alcoholsolutions, and flexographic inks. The surprising nonfoaming character of the wetting agents of this invention suggests their use to suppress the foam produced by other surface active agents and to reduce the tendency to foam of various compositions where foam would be undesirable as, for example, coal tar pitch emulsions, paper mill sizes, and textile finishing compositions. Still further, the acetylenic glycols may be incorporated into water based paint emulsions, such as those containing polyvinyl acetate, vinyl acetate copolymers, and butadicue-styrene copolymers, as freeze-thaw additives.

In addition, when employed in soaps or shampoos, the presence of small amounts of the acetylenic glycols is suificient to impart some bactericidal properties as well as increased wetting properties.

When compounding detergent compositions which include one or more of the symmetrical tertiary acetylenic glycols, the usual builders, detergents, and sequestering agents may be employed. The alkali-metal phosphates, silicates and carbonates, such as sodium phosphate, sodium dihydrogen phosphate, sodium tripolyphosphate, sodium hexametaphosphate, sodium carbonate, sodium silicate, sodium metasilicate, and mixtures of these materials have been found particularly usefulin this regard. sequestering agents such as sodium hexametaphosphate or other water-softening agents such as trisodium phosphate may also be incorporated in such detergent formulations.

' In preparing the compositions an amount of the glycol should he used sufiicient to increase the wetting power of v the system to which it will be added. It will be understood that the proportion of the glycol necessary to accomplish this result in each case cannot be exactly fixed since it is dependent upon the specific properties of the glycol employed, and the use to which the compositions are to be put. However, it has been found that generally the glycol is employed in proportions from about 0.05 to about percent by weight of the aqueous composition to which it is added. The preferred proportions of the glycol depends upon a variety of factors most important of which are the result desired and the application intended. For example, as freeze-thaw additives for polyvinyl acetate emulsions, the glycol may be employed in amounts of about 0.5 percent by weight of the final emulsion; for viscosity reduction of starch solutions the glycol may represent from about 0.1-0.75 percent by weight of the aqueous starch solution; for viscosity reduction in vinyl plastisols it is desirable to employ about 2.0 percent by weight of the glycol based onthe resin weight; for viscosity reduction and inhibiting gelation of polyvinyl alcohol solutions about 2-3 percent by weight of the acetylenic glycol based on the weight of polyvinyl alcohol may be used; for inhibiting gelation and reducing viscosity in flexographic inks the glycol is preferably employed in amounts of about 2 percent by weight of the total formulation; for suppression of foam in coal tar pitch emulsions and paper mill sizes it is advantageous to employ the glycol in about 0.1 to 0.2 percent by weight of the final composition; and When used as a pigment dispersant in paint compositions the glycol is preferably employed in amounts from about 0.1 to 0.3 percent by weight of the total paint formulation.

It has been further found that the wetting action of the acetylenic glycols can be unexpectedly enhanced by the addition of small amounts of ionic wetting agents such as Victawet 35B, Na (2-ethylhexyl) (P 0 0 or Sulframin, an alkyl aryl sulfonate. The addition of washing soda to the acetylenic glycols also enhances their wetting action.

Similarly, it has been found that synergistic surface active properties can be obtained by combining one or more of the symmetrical tertiary acetylenic glycols of this invention with another surface active agent. Surface active agents with which the tertiary acetylenic glycols have shown synergism include: (1) the anionic agents, such as sulfated or sulfonated oils (e.g., sulfated-castor oil), alkyl aryl sulfonates (e.g., sodium dodecyl benzene sufonates), sulfated and sulfonated amides and mines fatty acid partial esters of polyhydric alcohols, ethylene oxide-fatty alcohol condensates, alkyl aryl polyglycol ethers (e.g., nonyl phenol-ethylene oxide condensate) polyglycol thioethers, ethoxylated acidamides; and (3) the cationic agents, such as salts of primary and tertiary amines (e.=g., hexadecyl amine hydroacetate), quaternary ammonium salts (e.g., hexadecyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride), salts of amino amides (e.g., monostearoyl diethylene triamine dihydroacetate), quaternary ammonium salts of amino amides, quaternary derivatives of irnldazolines, quaternary salts of amino esters. In addition to synergistically improving the wetting action of these other surface active agents, the acetylenic glycols will in many cases suppress the foam formation.

Set forth below in Tables 1-7 and in Examples 1-3 are experimental data to illustrate remarkable wetting properties of these symmetrical tertiary acetylenic glycols when employed alone and in combination with other well known wetting agents and detergents.

EXAMPLE 1 Since the Draves test is an empirical wetting test that very nearly simulates practical wetting, the Draves test was used to evaluate the composition.

The Draves test for determining wetting action is fully described in the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists Year Book, 17, 216222. (1940), and briefly, is performed as follows: I

A standard skein of kier-boiled cotton thread, weighing 5.00 g. (J :.l'0 g.) is formed into a double loop. The length of the loop is about seven inches. A copper-S- hook weighing 300 g. is hooked through the bottom. A piece of linen thread is tied to the other loop of the 8 book and at a distance of three inches along the thread from the hook it is tied to a 40.00 g. weight. I

The liquid to \be tested is placed in a cylinder two inches in diameter and twelve inches deep. About 750 ml. are required.

The skein is held in the hand and the weight is lowered gently into the liquid. The skein is released just as the S-hool; reaches the surface of the liquid. 7

A stop watch is used to measure the time interval from the moment the bottom of the skein breaks the surface of the liquid until the S-hook sinks to the bottom (carrying the skein with it). The elapsed time is a measure of the wetting power, a shorter time indicating greater wet- .ting power. A time in excess of six minutes is considered unsatisfactory.

All tests were made at 25 C. unless indicated otherwise. All solutions are in distilled water (and are made up to the concentration shown in the data tables.

The experimental data are presented inv Tables l-6. All time values given are in seconds. The following symbols are used in the tables:

Table I WETTING POWER OF VARIOUS GLYCOLS INAQUEOUS- V SOLUTION Concentra- Compound Wetting tion, percent Power Ethylene glycol NQ Diethylenc glycol. NG

2,3,6,7-Tetrarnethyl-4 octyne 3,6

5 6 Table 2 Table -5 WETTING POWER OF ADDITIVES WHEN USED ALONE DRAVES' VALUES Concentratlom Wetting Power 4,7-dimethyl-5-decyne-4,7-di0I S NG 5 Percent' fig? Solubility in water 0.85 a

10% S 1H Na P O .01% V NG Concentration: Wetting power .02% v NG .85% I 03% v NG 50% I .20% v 10 .43% 4 50% v 1 30% 26 05% NaP N6 .21% 43 .10% NaP NG .20% NG 5.0% NaP NG .10% NG 05% NaP+.03% s 16 .125% N6 .10% NaP+.03% s 16 .125%+.01% v NG 2.5% Na CO NG .125%+.02% v 210 2.5% Na CO +2.0% NaP NG .125%+.0s% v 89 5.0% NaOH NG .125%+2% NaP NG 1.0% NaOH NG .125%+.01% v+2% NaP NG 5.0% H 50 NG .125%+.02% v+2% NaP 91 1.0% H2804 NG .125%+.03% v+2% NaP 44 Table 3 DRAVES VALUES Concm, N on-Ionlc +.05% +10% N aP NaP Non-ionic: 3,6-dimethyl-4-octyne-3,6-diol. Ionic: Sulframin. Other additive: Sodium Tripolyphosphate.

Table 4 DRAVES VALUES 0011011., N on-Ionic Non-ionic: 3,6-dimethyl-4-0ctyne-3,6-dio1. Ionic: Victawet 35B. Other additive: Sodium Tripolyphosphate.

+.10% NaP +.05% NaP Table -Continued Concentration-Continued Wetting Power 20% +2%' NaP. NG .20%|.01 V+2% NaP 44 .20%+.02'% V+2% NalL. 30 .20%+.03% V+2% NaP 18 .5%+2% NaP I .5.%+2% NaP+S NaOH, f-rh I After 20 hrs. room temp I After 2 hrs. reflux 18 After 20 hrs. reflux NG .5%+2% NaP+1.% NaOH, fresh I After 20 hrs. room temp I After 2 hrs. reflux 4 After 4 hrs. reflux 20 .5 +2.% NaP+5% H 50 fresh I After 20 hrs. room temp I After reflux 2 hrs NG .66% 2% NaP I .44%+2% NaP 6 .4 4%+2% NaP-{4.5% Na CO fresh I After 2 hrs. reflux I .33%+2% NaP 37 .33%+2% NaP+2.5% Na CO fresh I .22%+2% NaP NG .22%+2% NaP+2.5% Na CO' fresh 55 After 2 hrs. reflux 45 After 20hrs; reflux 49 Table 6 DRAVES VALUES 2,4,7,9-tetramethyl-5-decyne-4,7-di01 Percent Solubility in warter 0.13

Solubility in Na5P3O 0 EXAMPLE 2 The remarkable non-foamirig properties of the symmetrical tertiary acetylenic 'glycols are illustrated in this example.

Foam measurements are made comparing the foaming characteristics of the acetylenic glycols of this invention with other known non-ionic surface active agents. The

Ross-Miles foam. test. was carried out as described in.

the article by J. Ross and G. D. Milesin the May 1941 issue of Oil and Soap, pages 99-102; ASTM test 15-1173- SIT (ASTM Part 7', pages 644-646 (1952); and' US: Patent No. 2,315,983. Ross and Miles chose to use the temperature of"2'5' C.' (77 F.) while various companies published data at 110 and 120 F. Since the majority of known data and the ASTM uses 120 F.,

that temperature was selected for the tests shown below to aid the making of comparisons. a

The method involves the use of a 200 ml. pipette and a meter-long .thermostated receiver of .50 mm; internal diameter. The pipette is filled with the test solution and suspended centrally. cm. above a small, amount (50 ml.) of the same solution contained, in thereceiver. When releasedv by, opening a stop cock, thejliquid in the pipette drains through a standard orifice, (29' mm; internal diameter) into the receiver. This orifice isaso designed, that turbulence causes. the stream of solution to break up into droplets just after emerging from it. Foam is produced when these droplets strike the surface of the liquid or foam in the receiver. The temperature at which the testis run is F. and foamheights are recorded initially and after five minutes. The height of the foam in the column and its stability isindicative of the foaming properties of the. agent tested. H

In several instances, it was observed hat the foam height rose as the concentration increased and thensharply declined as the concentration was raised further. This phenomenon is probably attributable. to a surface tension decrease. which becomes a factor at certain increasing concentrations.

The results definitely and clearly indicate that the acetylenic glycols of this invention are the lowest foam producing surface active agents tested. The values obtained for the acetylenic glycols are so close to those of water as to be almost indistinguishable.

Table 7 ROSS-MILES FOAM TEST [Temperature 120 F.]

Concen- Height tratlon Initial After Substance (percent Height Five" by Wt.in Readings Minutes;. Aqueous (ems Stability Solution) (01:15.)

Water 0:0 0; Triton 45 (alkyl aryl polyether alcohol). g. Triton X- (alkyl aryl polyether 0.1 1.0 1. alcohol). 0.5 0. 7' 0. Pluronic F-68 (ethylene oxide propy- 0.1 5.0 1. lene oxide propylene glycol polymer). 0. 5" 24; 1 1: Pluronic L-44 (ethylene oxide propy- 0.1 4.0 1. lene oxide propylene glycol polymer). 0. 5 15. 5 V 1. Nonic 218 (polyethylene glycol tert. 0.1 14.0 V 0. ethylene thioether). 0.5- 25.2 1. Cerfak No. 1300 (alkyl polyoxy ethy- 0.1 6.0 0. lene thioether). 0.5 16.5 1. Suliramin AB 40 (dodecyl benzene sulfonates). 0. 1 20. 0 19. 0.001 0.0 0. 0.01 0.0 0. 3,6-dimethyl-4-octynediol 0. 05 0. 0 0. 0.1 0.0' 0'. 0.5 0.4 0. 1.0 i '0.5 0. 5.0 0.0 0. I 0.001 0.0 o. 0.01 0.0 0. 4,7-dlmethyl-5-decynediol V 0.05 0.0 V 0. 0.1 0.0 0. 0.5 0.1 0. 0.001 0.0 ...0. 2,4,7,Q-tetramethyI-S-deeynediol 8-81. 3-8 8- 0 1 0.0 0.

EXAMPLE 3 The synergistic effects obtained by combining various surfactants with the tertiary acetylenic glycols of this. in vention are illustrated by Table 8, below. Various com binations of 2,4,7,9-tetramethyl-5-decyne-4.7 diol with other surface active agents-were dissolvedin water in-the percentages indicated in the table, and their effecton wetting was evaluated by the Draves test, as described above'in Example 1, at about 2527 C. 'Ihe' eflect on foam was evaluated by visual observation. percents given in Table 8 are-by weight.

Table 8 mixed together in a particular weight ratio to-each other and heated until a molten mass was obtained. The liquid SYNERGISM BETWEEN ACETYLENIC GLYOOLS AND OTHER SURFACE ACTIVE AGENTS mixture was then st1rred while coohng until solidification occurred. The formulations were then sub ected to the 2,4,7,9-Tetra' Draves Draves test and the Ross-Miles foam test to determine 2' g Other Surfactant Percent g the eifect of the mixture on wetting and foaming prop- 1o er ertles. The data obtalned 1s recorded 1n Table 9. 01 Nmm 6 It was observed that the incorporation of Pluronic None 0.1 Sterofix )OD (polyoxyetlly- 193 Yes. F-68 unexpectedly enhanced the wetting properties of ene 65 er M5 (m5 Stem 0D 272 No. 10 the formulatlon and facilitated dissolution of the wetting None 0.1 Tarnol 731 (sodium salt of 300 Yes. agent in the aqueous medium. (See Table 9.)

a cqo ndenlsellsulfonic acid). 2 N E MPLE 5 0.05 0.05 8.1710 4 o. XA None 0.1 Aerosol OS (isopropy1- 300 Yes.

ggphthalene Sodlum To determine the eifect of acetylemc glycols on the 0.05 0.05 Aerosol 0S-. 27 N0. dispersibility of pigments, raw pigment pulp, du Pont t0lu -g$$3 idine red, and the glycol were. added to distilled water. 0.05 0.05 Aerosol 0T 0.5 Yes. The mixture was shaken for 30 minutes by means of a g i% g 8 Burrell shaking machine. The resulting mixture was put 0.05 0.05 Trlton X-l00 4 Yes. into a Nessler tube and compared to a control blank of -g fggg gf ggg Shght' the pigment in water which was treated in the same 0.05 0.05 Pluronic F-68 44 No e. manner. The results are indicated in Table 10 below. None 0.1 Nonic 218 (polyoxyethy- 6.4 t

19119 a1ky1thi0ether)., Table 10 0.05 0.05 Nonic 21s 1 None 0.1 l er l (DC-8 8 0651111 1 aryl 300 ta l poye GIECOO. 0'05 Igepal Oo 880 10 bl 25 composltlon of Pigment Mlxture Results S a 8. Ultrawet SK (alkyl 3171 23 1.07 by wt. solid toluidine red pigment some solid stayed dis- 0 gg fi gi gg gg 4 5.073 by wt. dimethylpetynediol. persed for 3 days. Tween 20 (po-lyoxyethy 320 Yes 1.0% by wt. solid toluldlne red pigment solludnsgteiged m a few lene sorbitan monolaurate). 'i T 1 $31 (all 1 1"? 1 1 l 0. er i o ary 4 lg e erate- L 6 0.05 0 4 w, 0.1 D s iiid 2a (polymerized 30 o Water-based paints of the following formulation were 0 eggfigg g 120 prepared employing vanious tertiary acetylenic glycols as 01 c nonlefsl fa'lie'i fsEf dlspersants for the organic pigment. In one case 2,4,7,9- gii g dlhydwgen 35 tetramethyl-5-decyne-4,7-dlol was used as the dispersant ,05 0050111151115 SP 5 N0. and in another 4,7-dimethyl-5-decyne-4,7-diol was em- None 0.1 Pluronic L-62 (polyo 214 ethylene condensate). xy ployed' 1 8'2 l 032 m 33 L one e ronic p0 yoxy- 0 ow.

ethylene condensate with Ingredients Grams Wt.Percent 0 05 0 o l i glisgamey 77 N 40 5 e ronlc one. Rutlle tltanla 17. 94 1. 3 None 0.1 Tetronlc 704 (polyoxy- 300 High.

ethylene condensate with Llthppone ethylene diamine). 4 0.05 0.05 Tetronic 704 20 Low. 81'38 D t i? 536 ISPEI'SEJI EXAMPLE 4 gaieicril amlggniate solutlion l 158. 40 11. 6 u a leneyrene copo ymer atex. 536.20 38.8 A series of solid formulations consisting of Pluromc Ethylene glycol 10.83 0.8 68 and an acetylenic glycol surface active agent were W (dammed) 247170 prepared in the following manner. 1,377.79 100.

Pluronic F-68, an ethylene oxide-propylene oxide- 50 P PY glycol P y and the acetylemc 8 1/ were The paint was formulated in the following manner.

Table 9 COMPARATIVE VALUES, DRAVES TEST 25 C. AND ROSS-MILES FOAM TEST 120 F.

Composition of Solid Concentration Aqueous Comparative Values Agent Solution Compara- ROSSIMHGS Foam Test tive 120 F. Values Draves Test Reading Percent Percent Percent Percent 25 0. Initial after Glycol Pluronic Glycol Pluronie (seconds) Reading 5 minutes F-68 F-68 (cm.) (stability) 4,7-Dimethyl G-decynel, 7-0101:

50 33% 0. 30 0.15 18 5. 0 0. s 0 0. 30 0.00 26 0.0 0.0 0 0. 00 0.15 No 8.7 a 2.5 Z,4,7,9-tetrag1ethy1-5-7 eeynel, die]:

"N G=Indieates a reading of more than six minutes, or unsatisfactory as far as wetting lroperties are concerned.

The pigment and extenders were placed in a pebble (without thepcbbles), and 62 grams of the casein arnmoniate solution and 160cc. of water containing the dispersant were added. The pebbles were introduced intothe'mill, and the ingredients were thoroughly mixed by grinding to form a paste. The remainder of the required caseinammoniate was added to the paste and mixed thoroughly. The paste was then added slowly to the latexwater mixture while gently stirring. Stirring was continued'until the paint'was uniform. Ethylene glycol was added as a freeze-thaw regulating ingredient.

No foaming developed during'the grinding of the pigment and extenders to form the paste, whereas in those cases where no dispersant or conventional anionic dispersants had been used, excessive foaming occurred. Improved and greater color development was observed in those-oases wherein a tertiary acetylenic glycol was employed as the pigment dispersant over that obtainable with a conventional anionic dispersant. In addition, as seen-by Table 11, finer pigment particles were obtained when employing a. tertiary acetylenic glycol as the pigment dispersant. The data. presented in Table 11, was obtained by measuring samples taken at intervals during the grinding using a two-path Hegrnan gage calibrated 0.005" to and O to 8 North Standards over a six-cinch length. The North Standards of 0, 2, 4, '6, and 8 correspond-to an average particle size of 4, 3, 2, 1 and 0 mils,

respectively. The units given in Table 11 are in North Standards.

Table 11 HEGMAN FINENESS READING Hours of Grinding 4' 6 8 10 12 14 Dispel-sent:

None 3% 4% 5% 5% 6 6% 4,7-Dimethyl-5-decyne-4,7-

diol 5 5% 6 6% 6% 6% 2,4,7,9-'I-etramethyl-5- decyne-4,7-diol 6 6% 6% 6% 6% 7 EXAMPLE 7 A detergent composition was formulated by mixing the following ingredients in the proportions indicated.

In a standard detergency evaluation test, detergent composition showed a soil removal of 52.9%. The composition was diluted at /z% in hot water, 140 F., for this test.

EXAMPLE 8 A detergent composition was formulated by mixing the following ingredients in the proportions indicated.

Ingredient: Percent by weight 4,7-dimethyl-5-decyne-4,7-diol 20 Carboxy methyl cellulose Small amount Sodium tripolyphosphate 38- Mixture of alkali builders Balance This detergent composition gave soil removal of 41.9%

12 EXAMPLE 9 A detergent composition containing a mixture of 2,4,7,9-tetramethyl-5-decyne-4,7-di0l and Pluronic F-68 was formulated by IIllXlIlg the following ingredients in the proportions indicated.

Ingredient: Percent by weight 50-50 mixture of 2,4,7,9-tetramethyl-5-decyne- 4,7-diol and Pluronic F68 20' Carboxy methyl cellulose Small amount Sodium tripolyphosphate 38 Mixture of alkali builders Balance diol and Sterox CD (a polyoxyethylene ester).. 20 Sodium tripolyphosphate 30 Tetrasodium pyrophosphate '10 Sodium metasili'cate pentahydrate 10 g Sodium sulfat 15 Sodium bisulfat '15 A cotton launderometer testwas run in 15 grain water at 60 C., using 0.3 percent of the foregoing detergent composition. In accordance with the test, light swatches of desired cotton cloth were soiled by immersion in a mixture of coconut oil, fatty acids, mineral oil, and carbon black. Four soiled swatches were washed in water containing 0.3 percent by weight of the foregoing detergent composition, and the remaining four swatches were washed in water containing no detergent. After washing, thebrightness of the swatches from each run were measured using a Hunter reflectometer calibrated so that a magnesia block gave a reading of 100.

Soil removal Run brightness units Water 2.1

Detergent mixture 7.6

EXAMPLE 11 A dishwashing composition was prepared, comprising the following ingredients in the amounts indicated:

Ingredient: Percent by weight Surfactant 10 Sodium tripolyphosphate 40 Tetrasodium pyrophosphate 20 Sodium metasilicate pentahydrate 10 \Soda as 20 The dishwashing effectiveness of this composition which contained various mixtures of a tertiary acetylenic glycol and another wetting agent as the surfactant was deterin a standard detergency evaluation test, wherethe deexamined photoelectrically and mined as follows. Glass wicking, soiled with hydrogenatedveg'etabl'e oil and carbon black, was scoured at 60 C. in a 0.2 percent solution of the dishwashing formulation containing the surfactants listed below in two grain water. The percentage of soil remaining on the wicking was determined by hexane extraction. Surfactant: Percent soil not removed 1:1 mixture of 2,4,7,9-tetramethyl-5-decyne- 4,7-diol and Sterox OD (polyoxyethylene ester) 37.5

1:1 mixture of 2,4,7,9-tetramethyl-5-decyne-4; 7-diol and Pluronic F-68 (polyoxypropylene condensate) Water 13 EXAMPLE 12 EXAMPLE 13 The following data will illustrate the ability of the symmetrical tertiary acetylenic glycols of this invention to reduce the viscosity of vinyl plastisols. The acetylenic glycol, as indicated in Table 12 below, was incorporated in a vinyl plastisol comprising 100 parts of a polyvinyl chloride resin and 65 parts or. dioctyl phtlralate plasticizer. The glycol was employed in an amount of 2 percent by weight of the resin. Viscosities were determined at various intervals at a temperature of 26 C.

Table 12 Table 13 below illustrates the viscosity reduction properties of the tertiary acetylenic glycols in aqueous starch solutions. Aqueous solutions containing 12 percent by Weight of potato and corn starch containing the indicated acetylenic glycols were prepared. Viscosities were measured at 80 C.

Table 13 VISCOSITY REDUCTION OF AQUEOUS STARCH SOLUTIONS Potato Starch Corn Starch Acetylenic Glycol Per- Viscosity Acetylenic Glycol Per- Viscosity cent by Weight (0125.) cent by Welght (cps.)

None 22, 600 None 25, 180 0.05% 2,4,7,9-Tetra- 0.5% 2,4,7-Tetramethyl-5-decyne-4,7- methyl-fi-deeynediol 10, 620 4 7-6101 11, 650 0.1% 2,4,7,9-Tetra- 0.1 %7 2,4,7-Tetramethy1-5-decyne-4J' methyl-5-decyne dioL 8, 800 4 7- 'ol 10, 550 0.05% 4,7-Dimethyl-5- 0.1% 2,4,7-Tetradecyne-4,7-d1ol 9, 450 methyl-5-deeyne- 4,7-d1o1 1 15, 900 0.1% 4,7-Dimethyl-5- 0.05% 4,7-Dimethy1-5- decyne-4,7-dio1 6, 100 decyne-4,7-d1ol 18, 380 4% 4,7-Dimethyl-- 0.2% 4,7-Dimethyl-5- decyne-4,7-diol 6, 050 decyne-4,7-di 7, 500 0.6% 4,7-Dirnethyl-5- 0.6% 4,7-Dimethyl 5 ecyne-4,7-diol 5, 750 decyne-4,7-diol 7, 000 0.6% 4,7-Dimethyl-5 1.0% 4,7-Dimethyl-5- decyne-4,7-diol 1 10, 850 decyneA 7-dio1 6, 300 0.5% 3,6-Dimethyl-4- 0.25% 3,6-11rnethy1-4- 0c e-3,fi-diol 15.000 octyne-3,6-diol 13, 400 1.0% 3,6-D1methyl-4- 0.5% 3,6-Dimethyl-4- octyne-3,6-dio1 8, 400 octyne-3,6-diol 7, 800 2.0% 3,6-Dimethyl-4- 1.0% 3,6-Dimethyl'4- octyne-3,6-dio1 6, 900 0ctyne'3,G 4, 500 5.0% 3,6-Dirnethyl-4- 4.0% 3,6

octyne-3,6-dio1 6, 400 octyne-3,6-dro1 5, 400

5.0% 3,6Dimethy1-4- oetyne 3,6-diol 9, 800

1 After 32 hrs. .1 After 16 hrs.

EXAMPLE A solution was prepared comprising 50 parts zein,

'14 40 parts ethanol, and 10 parts water. This solution gelled at room temperature after 4 /2 weeks. A similar batch which contained, in addition to the foregoing ingredients, 0.1 part of 2,4,7,9-tetramethyl-5-decyne-4,7- diol did not gel after 8 weeks.

It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that the compositions described above are not exhaustive. Various changes may be made in proportions and in additive ingredients. Other applications for these novel acetylenic glycol wetting agents would readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. As already stated above, these acetylenic glycols may be employed in any process, or incorporated in any composition, where it is desired to take advantage of their power to impart to aqueous systems their wetting and impregnating properties.

What is claimed is:

1. The method of reducing the surface tension and increasing the wetting properties of an aqueous system which comprises adding to said system from about 0.05 percent to about 10.0 percent by weight of the aqueous system of a symmetrical tertiary acetylenic glycol having a structure designated by the formula:

wherein R is an alkyl group containing from 1-4 carbon atoms, and R is a radical selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, cyclopropyl, and phenyl.

2. The method of reducing the surface tension and increasing the wetting properties of an aqueous system which comprises adding to said system from about 0.05 percent to about 10.0 percent by weight of the aqueous system of 2,4,7,9-tetramethy1-5-decyne-4,7-diol.

3. The method of reducing the surface tension and increasing the wetting properties of an aqueous system which comprises adding to said system from about 0.05 percent to about 10.0 percent by Weight of the aqueous system of 4,7-dimethyl-5-decyne-4,7-diol.

4. The method of reducing the surface tension and increasing the wetting properties of an aqueous system which comprises adding to said system from about 0.05 percent to about 10. 0 percent by weight of the aqueous system of 3,6-dimethyl-4-octyne-3,6-diol.

5. The method of reducing the surface tension and increasing the wetting properties of an aqueous system which comprises adding to said system from about 0.05 percent to about 10.0 percent by weight of the aqueous system of 2,5-diphenyl-3-hexyne-2,5-diol.

6. The method of reducing the surface tension and increasing the wetting properties of an aqueous: system which comprises adding to said system from about 0.05 percent to about 10.0 percent by weight of the aqueous system of 5,8-dimethyl-6-dodecyne-5,8-diol.

7. An aqueous composition comprising water and from about 0.05 percent to about 10.0 percent by weight of the aqueous composition of a symmetrical tertiary acetylenic glycol having a structure designated by the formula:

. 15 reduce thesurface tension and increase the wetting properties'of said aqueous composition.

9; An aqueous composition comprising water and from about 0.05 percent to about 10.0 percent by Weight of the aqueous composition of 2,4,7,9-tetramethyl-5-decyne- 4,7-diol, the quantity of said diol being suflicient to substantially reduce the surface tension and increase the wetting properties of said aqueous composition.

10. An aqueous composition comprising water and from about 0.05 percent to about 10.0 percent by Weight of the aqueous composition of 5 ,8-dimethyl-6-duodecyne- 5,8-dio1, the quantity of said diol being sufficient tosubstantially reduce the surface tension and increase the wetting properties of said aqueous composition. 7 11. An aqueous composition comprising water and from about 0.05 percent to about 10.0 percent by weight of the aqueous composition of 3',6'-dim'ethy1-'4-octyne- 3,6-diol, the quantity of said diol being sufficient to substantially reduce the surface tension and increase the Wetting properties of said aqueous composition.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,394,280 Cook Oct. 18, 1921' 2,250,445 Bruson et a1. July 29, 1941 2,601,315 Morrison et al. June 24, 1952 2,656,327 Van Wirt'et a1. Oct. 20, 1953 2,679,482 Ross May 25,1954 2,801,160

OTHER REFERENCES Acetylinic Compounds, Johnson Arnold & Co., London, 1946, vol. 1, pages 274340.

lserson July 30, 1957 

1. THE METHOD OF REDUCING THE SURFACE TENSION AND INCREASING THE WETTING PROPERTIES OF AN AQUEOUS SYSTEM WHICH COMPRISES ADDING TO SAID SYSTEM FROM ABOUT 0.05 PERCENT TO ABOUT 10.0 PERCENT BY WEIGHT OF THE AQUEOUS SYSTEM OF A SYMMETRICAL TERTIARY ACETYLENIC GLYCOL HAVING A STRUCTURE DESIGNATED BY THE FORMULA: 